Political Economy of Tribal Development in Goa

Abstract

It is interesting to know the kind of initiative steps that has taken by the state Government to lead the developmental programmes, and Empowerment of Scheduled Tribes the Gawda, Kunbi and velip Communities in Goa. The State tribal development policies, Strategies, Programmers are the political Manifestos during all election of the political parties which forms the Government. It is out of this Strategies that the parties the making of Government boast of access to basic amenities, and financial and a rapid expansion in rural infrastructure development in the tribal area. However, what the political party promises during the entire election period and the propaganda that follows for the entire election year are conveniently and deliberately forgotten once they form the Government. Though certain constitutional safeguards Which are provided for upliftment of Scheduled tribe there is in fact no Significant Economic, Social and Political awareness required for the fulfillment and achievement of lofty objective that are enshrined in the various provisions of constitution and the situations in the tiny vibrant state like even Goa is not exception to it. The Present condition of the Scheduled Tribes in Goa is such that their various developmental policies, Strategies, Programmes are not percolated in tribal dominated areas during the successive five year plans and therefore, it has also had adverse impact on their socio-economic mobility. Therefore, the Scheduled Tribes remain abysmally backward and socially excluded, still living in harsh environments. Politically, the Scheduled Tribes community is the most voiceless in this state. Their unsecured livelihood position in terms of lack of legal entitlements of the resources they use, both agricultural & Non-agricultural produce push them into deep economic vulnerability. This paper therefore, discusses the implications of the new Act's and Protection of livelihood of the tribal communities and further attempts to address the issue which will enquire whether such act will finally lead to the inclusion of these people into the National mainstream.